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The whole thing was stupid - but mostly bizarre that he'd write such a long essay about it.

A couple things in particular that really irked me were:

although occasionally in hockey and soccer a score is the result of superior strategy, teamwork, or skill, the difference between scoring a goal and just missing one or having one blocked is more a matter of luck than skill

This is just asinine : luck is somehow superior to skill and team work in terms of determining a hockey game outcome? Ridiculous.

That is based on a fundamental ignorance of how the professional game is played. NHL teams today follow complex coaching systems; he makes it seem as if its just a mob of players bumbling around the ice for the entire game.

It seems to me that what makes a sport or a given contest exciting is that at any given time something significant can happen, whether that is a score or the prevention of a score, and that the outcome is in doubt pretty much throughout the contest.

Which happens all the time in hockey - ie a defenceman may mishandle the puck which leads to a breakaway for the other team, ect.

Last edited by jacknife737; 04-06-2013 at 09:42 PM.

Originally Posted by Tom Gabel

Adrenaline carried one last thought to fruition.
Let this be the end.
Let this be the last song.
Let this be the end.
Let all be forgiven.

That is based on a fundamental ignorance of how the professional game is played. NHL teams today follow complex coaching systems; he makes it seem as if its just a mob of players bumbling around the ice for the entire game.

Writing high on pot here. Now, I have a feeling that a lot of people have this perception about hockey. Maybe not to the extreme that you describe, but they probably think that the coaching systems are extremely simple and broad, perhaps as simple as saying something like "be more defensive than offensive against these guys". That's because since hockey players are always quickly moving, it makes it difficult for a new fan to make their own observations regarding strategy and positioning.

Which brings me to my next point: I'd say that only the top 20 percent of the most knowledgeable hockey fans can hold a good, in-depth conversation about hockey strategy. I find that when many people discuss hockey, the conservations rarely focus on team strategy points and instead, only focus on the success or shortcomings of individual players. This lack of discussion and understanding of the game just makes it less appealing to talk hockey with others, which makes the whole experience somewhat less fun.

Also, players in hockey are much more low-profile compared to NFL, NBA, and MLB players, and they rarely make the news unless they say or do something outrageous.

Which brings me to my next point: I'd say that only the top 20 percent of the most knowledgeable hockey fans can hold a good, in-depth conversation about hockey strategy. I find that when many people discuss hockey, the conservations rarely focus on team strategy points and instead, only focus on the success or shortcomings of individual players. This lack of discussion and understanding of the game just makes it less appealing to talk hockey with others, which makes the whole experience somewhat less fun.

As someone who actually knows shit about basketball and American football strategy, I can say that it's exactly the same. Very few people I know who like ANY of these sports can hold an in-depth conversation about them.

Obviously, the reason watching hockey is boring is because in real hockey, they don't do the Flying V or the Statue of Liberty...

Originally Posted by WebDudette

Or do they?

Oilers :facepalm:

Here's a Statue of Liberty too, how you shouldn't do it, though you probably meant something different.

I can't decide if I like the Coyotes type of scoring by community, or if all I really want is a high scoring superstar. Not Crosby though, but shit, give me a Giroux, Kane, or even a Kopitar.

I like Kopitar and Toews as better all-around players than Giroux and Kane, but if you want goal scoring I'd understand if you go with latter two.

I like Coyotes, I hope they'll make through these grueling days as a franchise and stay in Phoenix. I think they have the best captain in the entire league and a top 3 coach. And I also think they have a chance to finish the season above Detroit, and take down Hawks in first round.